HomeMy WebLinkAbout120 CHERRY ST., CHERRY ST. STATION - PDP - 9-05 - CORRESPONDENCE - FIRE AUTHORITY REQUIREMENTS (3)April 19, 2005
Ron Gonzales
Poudre Fire Authority
102 Remington
Fort Collins, CO 80524
Dear Ron:
I am writing regarding your DMS comment #64 on the Cherry Street Station
project. As we discussed in our meeting on April 1', 1 believe that there has
been some confusion regarding the application of the Fire Code to this project.
In your comments you state that "The Poudre Fire Authority has reviewed this
submittal from various aspects of safety. The PFA CANNOT support this proposed
educe for the following reasons:
1. this triangular shaped bldg has railroad tracks on two of its facades. As
such, there is no access available for aerial operations to be conducted within a
safe distance margin.
2. the resticted height of this edifice allows for sprinklers and standpipes, but
does not allow for the requirements of all the necessary fire engineered systems
of a high-rise bldg.
This presents additional burdens on firefighters.
3. there is not sufficent working space on Cherry St for the full complement of response
vehicles to properly and adequately stage to conduct a safe operation.
Section 902.2.1 of the 1997 Uniform Fire Code requires "that any portion of the facility or
any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building be located less than 150'
from fire apparatus access as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the
building or facility", or else fire apparatus access roads need to be provided around the
building. Since an engine parked on Cherry Street can easily drag a 150' hose around
the northwest side and 134' hose around the east side of the building and meet one
another, the entire first story of the building is clearly located within 150' of fire apparatus
access, and as such, no access roads are required to be provided around the building.
In addition, this project also complies with Poudre Fire Authority Administrative Policy
85-5 B which states: "Buildings three or more stories in height must have access to a 30'
unobstructed access roadway on at least one (1) side (blank walls excluded) for aerial
operations." As mentioned above, we are providing access to the entire south facing
side of our building, and therefore comply with this policy as well.
In addition, it may be of some interest to you, that we are in the process of redesigning
our building and eliminating the top story. This should result in a roughly 55' tall building.
It is my sincere hope that given this information, PFA would be willing to support the
proposed application.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
U /
Mikal Torgerson
M. Torgerson Architects
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Moll S. iorgason, lit W-0
113 N College
W Collins, CO 80524
970.4161431
888.4%1431
I= 970.4161435
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